Apparatuses and methods for illuminating objects

ABSTRACT

An apparatus ( 1 ) for illuminating items comprises a the imaging device ( 2 ) for capturing an image of an area (A), and generating a first signal (IM) representative of the captured image; a processing unit ( 3 ) which is configured to: receive a first signal (IM), process it through an image recognition and edge detection algorithm to identify one or more shapes (F) delimited by edges (B), the processing unit ( 3 ) being further configured to process the captured image by applying a first color inside the edge (B) of each shape (F) and a second color outside the edge (B) of each shape (F), and generate a second signal (EL) representative of the processed image; the apparatus ( 1 ) further comprises an image projection device ( 4 ), which is configured to receive the second signal (EL), generate a light beam representative of the processed image and direct the light beam to the area (A).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method forilluminating objects. The present invention finds particular applicationin the illumination of art exhibitions, museums and works in general.

Discussion of the Related Art

Prior art illumination systems are composed of pluralities of lightsources arranged in a predetermined position and with a predeterminedorientation according to the position, shape and size of the objects tobe illuminated.

A first example of a known illumination system is disclosed inCN203259184U. This document discloses a smart monitoring andilluminating system, comprising a digital video camera which is designedto capture images of a real-time environment and an illuminatingcontroller that provides an on/off control on an illuminating lamp.Particularly, the system is used to monitor accesses to an environmentthrough a door that can be opened or closed, thereby modifying the imagecaptured by the camera and accordingly cause the lamp to be turned onand off.

A second example of a known illumination system is disclosed inKR20130122317. This document discloses an illumination system thatcomprises a security video camera which captures images of a zone to bemonitored and an illumination controller that can move an imageprojection devices in response to the movements of the objects beingfilmed by the camera.

The above discussed systems can control the actuation and movement of animage projection devices according to the images that are being capturedby a video camera. Nevertheless, they are not able to illuminate themonitored area according to the fixed or moving objects located therein,their shape and/or distance, as the illumination configuration ispredetermined and can only be manually changed.

This problem is particularly relevant in art exhibition illuminationsystems, whose spotlights are manually moved by illumination operatorsaccording to the position, size of the works and of the informationtotems on the walls.

Whenever a work is removed or replaced with another work, the operatorsare required to change the configuration of the illumination systems toadjust work illumination to prevent illumination of areas in which nowork is present, as it often occurs.

Therefore, there is generally the need to be able to automaticallyadjust the configuration of the illumination devices in response tochanges concerning the presence, position and size of the objectsarranged in an area designed to be illuminated by said illuminationdevices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and amethod for illuminating objects that can automatically adapt theillumination configuration according to the objects that are to beactually illuminated by the illumination device.

This and other objects are achieved by a system or a method forsupplying a railroad path as claimed in any of the appended claims.

A first embodiment of the invention comprises an apparatus forilluminating objects arranged in an area.

The apparatus comprises an imaging device configured to capture an imageof the area and generate a first signal representative of the capturedimage.

A processing unit is in signal communication with the imaging device andis configured to receive the first signal. Thus, the first signal isprocessed by an image recognition and edge detection algorithm toidentify one or more shapes delimited by edges, in the image that hasbeen captured.

The processing unit processes the captured image by applying a firstcolor inside the edge of each identified shape and a second coloroutside the edge of each identified shape. The processing unit generatesa second signal representative of the processed image.

The apparatus further comprises an image projection device, in signalcommunication with the processing unit and configured to receive thesecond signals and generate a light beam representative of the processedimage. Then, the image projection device directs the light beam to thearea.

A second embodiment of the invention comprises a method for illuminatingobjects arranged in an area. This method comprises a step of capturingan image of the area.

The image is processed using an image recognition and edge detectionalgorithm to identify one or more shapes bounded by edges.

A first color is applied inside the edge of each identified shape.Similarly, a second color is applied outside the edges of the identifiedshapes.

Then, a light beam representative of the processed image is generated.Such beam is directed to the area to be illuminated.

The invention solves the above discussed technical problem. Both to theapparatus and method of the invention are able to recognize the areaswith objects to be illuminated, such as paintings, and to identify theirshapes on a captured image. The use of an image projection devices canclearly illuminate only these zones.

Furthermore, advantageously, the apparatus and the method of theinvention are able to easily adapt the illumination to the changingarrangement of the objects to be illuminated. For this, the abovedescribed procedure will be simply repeated, with no part having to bephysically displaced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The characteristics and advantages of the present invention will resultfrom the following detailed description of a possible embodiment,illustrated as a non-limiting example in the annexed drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an apparatus for illuminating objectsaccording to the present invention; and

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram which illustrates the operation of theapparatus of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the annexed figures, numeral 1 generally designates anapparatus for illuminating objects arranged in an area according to thepresent invention.

The apparatus 1 comprises an imaging device 2. Such an imaging device 2is configured to capture an image of an area “A” and generate a firstsignal “IM” representative of the captured image. By mere way ofexample, the imaging device 2 may be a dedicated camera, a web cam or asmartphone having a camera incorporated therein.

The apparatus 1 also comprises a processing unit 3. Such processing unit3 is particularly put in signal communication with the imaging device 2.Furthermore, the processing unit 3 is designed to receive the abovementioned first signal “IM”. The processing unit 3 analyzes the firstsignal “IM”, processes it and outputs a second signal “EL”representative of a processed image. Further details on the architectureand operation of the processing unit 3 will be provided hereinbelow.

The apparatus 1 further comprises an image projection device 4, which isin signal communication with the processing unit 3. Particularly, theimage projection devices 4 is configured to receive the aforementionedsecond signal “EL”, which encodes the image processed by the processingunit, and projects it on the area A. For example, the image projectiondevices may be a commercially available video projector.

Particularly referring to FIG. 2, the operation of the processing unit 3of the present invention will be now described in further detail. Forcompleteness and ease of description, the processing unit 3 will bedescribed by dividing it into a plurality of functional modules.Nevertheless, this shall in no way be construed as a limitation to theto the structure of the processing unit 3. The processing unit 3 mayhave any type of structure suitable for the purpose sch as, by way ofexample only, one or more dedicated hardware devices, one or moresoftware libraries or applications, one or more virtual machines or anycombination of these elements or others. The various parts that form theprocessing unit 3 may be all implemented on a single platform or may bedistributed across multiple hardware components connected together bywired or wireless connection, through n a local area network, via theInternet or a virtual private network or any combination of suchconnections and others.

The processing unit 3 comprises an acquisition module 5, which isdirectly connected to the imaging device 2, and detects the transmissionof the aforementioned first signal “IM”.

The processing unit 3 comprises a recognition module 6, which is adaptedto process the first signal “IM” using an image recognition and edgedetection algorithm. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, therecognition module 6 implements the Canny algorithm, substantially asdescribed in “J. F. Canny—a computational approach to edgedetection—IEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and MachineIntelligence, p. 679-698, 1986”. By this arrangement, one or more closedshapes “F”, i.e. completely delimited by closed edges, are identified inthe captured image. Particularly, the processing unit 3 has suchpurpose.

Optionally, the processing unit 3 is configured to process the firstsignal “IM” to detect the texture of the zones inside the edges “B” ofthe identified shapes “F”. This operation is particularly carried out bythe recognition module 4. Advantageously, this information allowsdetection of the type of surface enclosed by the edge “B” (for example,in case of a painting, such detection will determine whether it is anoil on canvas). This information may be incorporated in the secondsignal “EL”, which will also include information representative of thetexture that has been detected.

The processing unit 3 also comprises a control module 7, which completesthe image processing operation. Particularly, the control module 7 isdesigned to apply a first color inside the edge “B” of each previouslyidentified shape “F”. Similarly, a second color is applied outside theedges “B” of the shapes “F”, i.e. on the side of the image outside theshapes “F”. Namely, the shapes “F” are uniformly filled with the firstcolor, whereas the external parts are uniformly filled with the secondcolor. Thus, the processed image will only have two colors, i.e. is thefirst and the second color.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the first color is whiteand the second color is black. In alternative embodiments of theinvention, the first and second colors may be any color as long as agood contrast is ensured therebetween. Thus, the processed image isencoded in the aforementioned second signal “EL”.

Particularly referring to FIG. 1, it shall be noted that the imageprojection devices 4 is designed to generate a light beam “L”representative of the processed image. Thus, such light beam “L” isdirected to the area “A” to illuminate the previously detected objects.

According to the invention, the light beam “L” comprises lighted areasand dark areas. Particularly, the portions that have been filled withthe first color in the processed image correspond to the lighted areasof the light beam “L”. Likewise, the portions that have been filled withthe second color in the processed image correspond to the dark areas ofthe light beam “L”. Thus, advantageously, the image projection device(4) illuminates the interior of the edges (B) of the previouslyidentified shapes (F). It shall be noted that, in the preferredembodiment of the invention, the light beam “L” generated by the imageprojection devices 4 reproduces the image produced on the area “A”,thereby illuminating the objects therein and leaving the empty parts inthe area “A” dark.

Optionally, the image projection devices 4 is configured to detect itsdistance from the area “A”, particularly with respect to each shape “F”identified in the captured image. The image projection device 4 isdesigned to adjust the illuminance of the light beam generated accordingto the detected distance. As used herein, the term illuminance isintended as the ratio of the luminous flux on an surface element to thearea of the element. The term luminous flux is intended as the productof the luminous intensity of the light source by the solid angle of thelight beam.

Optionally, the image projection device 4 is configured to adjust theilluminance of the light beam “L” generated in response to the detectedtexture if this information is available in the second signal “EL”.

A method for illuminating objects arranged in the area “A” is describedbelow. Particularly, the method is described in its application to theabove discussed apparatus 1. In certain alternative embodiments, whichform part of the present invention, the method may also be carried outwithout using the apparatus 1.

In an optional initialization step, the area “A” is uniformlyilluminated, with a white rectangle projected over the entire area “A”.Advantageously, this affords a more accurate recognition of the edges“B”.

More in detail, during the initialization step the processing unit 3,and particularly the control module 7, generate a rectangular backgroundimage having a uniform white color. This background image is encoded inthe second signal “EL”, which is sent to the image projection device 4,which projects it on the area “A”, thereby generating a uniform lightbeam “L”, corresponding to the received image.

Now the projected image may be detected, particularly through theimaging device 2. Advantageously, the perspective distortion caused bythe angle of incidence of the light beam “L” on the area “A” may becorrected.

In a first step, an image in the area “A” is captured, with the purposeof detecting the shapes “F”. This operation is preferably carried out bythe imaging device 2, which sends the aforementioned first signal “IM”to the processing unit 3, particularly to the acquisition module 5.

If the initialization step has been carried out, the imaging device 2captures the image in the area “A” while it is being illuminated by theuniform light beam “L”.

Then, the digitized image is processed using an image recognition andedge detection algorithm. The shapes “F” with their respective edges “B”are so defined. Preferably, this operation is carried out by theprocessing unit 3, particularly the recognition module 6.

Then, the first color is uniformly applied inside the edge “B” of eachidentified shape “F”. At the same time, the second color is uniformlyapplied outside the edges “B”. This operation is particularly carriedout by the processing unit 3, more particularly by the control module 7,which generates the aforementioned second signal “EL”.

Then, a light beam “L” representative of the processed image isgenerated. This light beam “L” is directed to the area “A”, toilluminate it. This operation is preferably carried out by the imageprojection device 4.

Optionally, the method comprises a step of detecting the distancebetween the light source, preferably the image projection device 4, andeach identified shape “F”. Based on such distance, the illuminance ofthe generated light beam “L” may be adjusted.

Optionally, the texture of the zones inside the edges “B” of theidentified shapes “F” may be detected, particularly to detect the typeof surface to be illuminated. Thus, the illuminance of the light beam“L” may be adjusted in response to the detected texture.

Those skilled in the art will obviously appreciate that a number ofchanges and variants as described above may be made to fulfillparticular requirements, without departure from the scope of theinvention, as defined in the following claims.

1. An apparatus for illuminating objects in an area, said apparatuscomprising: an imaging device configured to capture an image of saidarea and generate a first signal representative of said captured image,a processing unit in signal communication with said imaging device andconfigured to: receive said first signal, process said first signal byan image recognition and edge detection algorithm to identify one ormore shapes bounded by edges in said acquired image, and process saidacquired image by uniformly filling each identified shape with a firstcolor, and uniformly filling the parts of said acquired image externalto said edges with a second color to generate a second signalrepresentative of the processed image, an image projection device insignal communication with said imaging unit and configured to: receivesaid second signal, and generate a light beam representative of theprocessed image, directing said light beam to said area.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein: said light beam comprises light areas anddark areas, the portions with said first color in the processed imagecorrespond to said light areas of said light beam, the portions withsaid second color in the processed image correspond to said dark areasof said light beam, whereby said image projection device illuminates theinside of the edges of the shapes so identified.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein said first color is white and said second color isblack.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said imaging device isconfigured to be activated to capture said image of said area underuniform illumination of said area.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein,said processing unit is configured to create a uniform image of arectangular white background, said image projection device is configuredto generate a uniform light beam representative of said background imageand direct the uniform light beam on said area, said imaging device isconfigured to capture the image of said area under uniform illuminationof said area by means of said uniform light beam.
 6. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein: the light beam generated by said image projectiondevice reproduces the processed image on said area.
 7. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein: said image projection device is configured to:detecting the distance between said image projection device and eachshape identified in said captured image, adjusting the illumination ofthe light beam generated as a function of the detected distance.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein: said processing unit is also configuredto process said first signal to detect the texture of the areas insidethe edges of the identified shapes, said second signal comprisinginformation representative of said detected texture, said imageprojection device is configured to adjust the illumination of the lightbeam generated according to the detected texture.
 9. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein said processing unit is configured to process images bymeans of the Canny algorithm.
 10. A method of illuminating objects in anarea, said method comprising the steps of: capturing an image of anarea; processing said captured image by an image recognition and edgedetection algorithm to identify one or more shapes bounded by edges;uniformly filling each identified shape with a first color, anduniformly filling the parts of said captured image external to saidedges with a second color to generate a processed image, generating alight beam representative of the processed image, directing said lightbeam to said area.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein: said light beamcomprises light areas and dark areas, the portions with said first colorin the processed image correspond to said light areas of said lightbeam, the portions with said second color in the processed imagecorrespond to said dark areas of said light beam.
 12. The method ofclaim 10, wherein said first color is white and said second color isblack.
 13. The method of claim 10, wherein: said step of acquiring animage of said area comprises an initialization step, that is carried outunder uniform illumination of said area.
 14. The method of claim 13,wherein said initialization step comprises the steps of: creating auniform image of a rectangular white background, generating a uniformlight beam representative of said background image, directing theuniform light beam to said area, capturing the image of said area. 15.The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein: said step of generating alight beam causes the reproduction of said processed image on said area.16. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein said step of generating alight beam comprises the step of: detecting the distance between asource of said light beam and each shape identified in said capturedimage, adjusting the illumination of the light beam generated as afunction of the detected distance.
 17. The method of claim 10, wherein:said step of processing said image comprises the step of detecting thetexture of the areas inside the edges of the shapes so identified, saidstep of generating a light beam comprises the step of adjusting theillumination of the light beam so generated according to the detectedtexture.
 18. An apparatus for illuminating objects in an area, saidapparatus comprising: an imaging device configured to capture an imageof said area and generate a first signal representative of said capturedimage, the imaging device being configured to be activated to capturesaid image of said area under uniform illumination of said area; aprocessing unit in signal communication with said imaging device andconfigured to: receive said first signal, process said first signal byan image recognition and edge detection algorithm to identify one ormore shapes bounded by edges in said acquired image, and process saidacquired image by uniformly filling each identified shape with a firstcolor, and uniformly filling the parts of said acquired image externalto said edges with a second color to generate a second signalrepresentative of the processed image, an image projection device insignal communication with said imaging unit and configured to: receivesaid second signal, and generate a light beam representative of theprocessed image, directing said light beam to said area.